Chapter 317: Confident
Si Kong Lan’s schemes ran deep.
Earlier, when he saw he couldn’t persuade Qi Ke Qing to target Ning Qi, he had the idea of detaching from the Yaoguang Immortal Sect army.
But at that time, he happened to discover that Ning Qi seemed to have a compass in hand that could detect nodes.
He immediately changed his mind and decided to continue following Qi Ke Qing to see the situation first.
If Ning Qi could truly detect the location of the node, perhaps he could plot something on this matter.
So, after arriving here, the large node that appeared ahead completely proved the value of the compass in Ning Qi’s hand!
Even if Si Kong Lan hadn’t seen Ning Qi or the Xuanzhen Domain Army, he believed they must be nearby.
Then, Ning Qi could indeed find the node!
And at this moment, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect army actually discovered them and sent two Peak Venerables to intercept.
What Si Kong Lan didn’t expect was that Qi Ke Qing was exceptionally decisive, directly instant killing the two, which also drew half of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect army.
Damn Ning Qi hadn’t shown up yet, and they were already battling the enemy—how could Si Kong Lan do such a losing deal?
At this critical juncture, Si Kong Lan directly contacted the Qingxuan Immortal Sect and the sect members under his command. Taking advantage of Qi Ke Qing and the others being entangled in melee with the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people, he immediately chose to retreat from the battlefield.
Evidently, on the path of being the sixth, Si Kong Lan was professional!
He hadn’t chosen to detach from the Yaoguang Immortal Sect army earlier, for fear of displeasing Qi Ke Qing.
As for now, with Qi Ke Qing held back by the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people, so what if she was displeased—let her chase him if she had the ability?
Before leaving, Si Kong Lan even laughed, “Senior Sister Qi, you said I could take people and leave, so we won’t accompany you anymore!”
Watching the Qingxuan Immortal Sect army rapidly departing, Qi Ke Qing and the Yaoguang Immortal Sect army nearly died of anger.
Si Kong Lan appeared righteous on the surface, but who would have thought he would do something so shameless.
The only thing that brought some comfort to the congregation was that not everyone in the army Si Kong Lan originally brought was of his ilk—surprisingly, a third of them stayed in the Yaoguang Immortal Sect team.
These people who stayed either disdained battlefield desertion in their hearts or felt Qi Ke Qing was more reliable than Si Kong Lan.
Regarding a third of the people choosing to stay in the Yaoguang Immortal Sect team, although Si Kong Lan laughed dashingly, he was shocked in his heart.
Fortunately, he chose to detach at this time.
Otherwise, if he continued following Qi Ke Qing, there would likely be more people siding with her in the future.
Then wouldn’t his Qingxuan Immortal Sect become a lone commander?
Qi Ke Qing led the congregation to continue battling the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people. She had no time to deal with Si Kong Lan’s trouble— she still knew what was more important right now.
Moreover, Qi Ke Qing had just let the congregation instant kill two Peak Venerables from the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect in an instant.
Such a blood feud had already been forged. Even if Qi Ke Qing wanted to deal with Si Kong Lan’s trouble, would the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people let them leave?
……
Ning Qi and his army hid in the void ten miles outside the node center.
Seeing the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people split into two teams simultaneously battling the Sea of Realms Fierce Beasts and Qi Ke Qing’s people, they immediately felt the opportunity had come.
Everyone looked toward Ning Qi, secretly admiring him.
The Alliance Leader’s Concealment Grand Array had repeatedly achieved remarkable feats after arriving in the War Domain.
The previous few times killing detachments from the White Crane Immortal Sect and Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect had all achieved the effect of surprise attack and instant kill.
And now, the Fuyao Domain cultivators followed behind them. Their formations were inferior to the Alliance Leader’s and were detected by the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people, who split half their forces to kill over.
In comparison, the grand array laid by the Alliance Leader immediately made the Xuanzhen Domain congregation feel secretly pleased in their hearts—this was the gap!
They had clearly arrived first, yet were safe and sound, even gaining the opportunity to watch from the sidelines.
Originally, when they first arrived here, the congregation was still pondering how to take this large node this time.
Whether the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect side or the Sea of Realms Fierce Beast side, both had stronger strength than them.
But now, with Qi Ke Qing’s army joining the battlefield, the Xuanzhen Domain congregation knew without thinking that they would become the biggest winners!
Of course, they hadn’t expected that someone in Qi Ke Qing’s army would desert the battlefield, directly reducing their forces by two-tenths.
This made the congregation a bit displeased.
Ning Qi recognized the leading person. Earlier, Dragon Mountain Daoist and Ye Qinghe had telepathically communicated, informing him that the person was the leader of this Qingxuan Immortal Sect expedition, Si Kong Lan.
Ning Qi also extremely despised such battlefield deserters, even itching to slay him with a sword!
Ning Qi glanced at the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people below. He had already obtained the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect’s cultivation methods.
Combined with his heaven-defying comprehension, he could now instantly simulate the spells of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect congregation.
Ning Qi was thinking whether to impersonate Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people and kill that Si Kong Lan right here.
The energies here were mixed, and the node hadn’t been taken by any side yet. He could impersonate Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people—even if he killed Si Kong Lan, the Mountain Sea Realm Will probably wouldn’t suspect him.
But this idea was quickly suppressed by Ning Qi.
The overall situation right now was more important. He couldn’t act yet. Slashing from such a distance with one sword to kill Si Kong Lan, who had already fled seventy miles away, was too conspicuous.
Even if impersonating Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people to act, it would definitely be discovered by the congregation, and the hidden Xuanzhen Domain Army would have to reveal itself.
So, Ning Qi chose to temporarily spare Si Kong Lan and the Qingxuan Immortal Sect people.
He and his Xuanzhen Domain Army wouldn’t act unless they did—and when they did, it would be to instant kill and annihilate the opponent, just like the White Crane Immortal Sect cultivators they encountered before.
Ning Qi must fulfill his duty as Alliance Leader and lead the army to minimize losses as much as possible.
Sword Ancestor asked nearby, “Right now, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people are split into two places battling. Our greatest opportunity has come—just await your order, and we can act!”
Ning Qi glanced below.
The Sea of Realms Fierce Beasts were desperately attacking the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect guards, the two sides battling intensely, heaven and earth changing color, blood spilling into the void, with lives constantly falling on both sides.
He looked toward Qi Ke Qing’s side again.
He saw Qi Ke Qing leading the Fuyao Domain Army clashing with the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect attackers. Both sides arrayed in the void, all cultivators battling together.
Countless attacks were released, various spells crossing the sky, spiritual energy colliding, Rule Divine Chains weaving like a net, immediately causing rumbling booms.
The Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect was indeed a top-tier sect in a mid-tier Spiritual Realm of the Haoran Realm. Even after splitting half their army, they were still evenly matched with Qi Ke Qing and the others.
Moreover, since the opponent had killed their two Peak Venerables, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people were extremely angry, each round of attacks like fighting with their lives, extremely fierce.
Under this offensive, Qi Ke Qing and the others’ aura waned, seemingly suppressed by the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people.
At this moment, Qi Ke Qing, as the leader, suddenly charged forward. A terrifying radiance burst from her body, making her whole person like a brilliant star.
This was the Yaoguang Immortal Sect’s supreme art, the Yaoguang Qi An Technique!
Even more astonishing was that a special Spiritual Treasure rose behind Qi Ke Qing—it was actually a foldable Magic Mirror!
The Magic Mirror was bizarre, completely blocking Qi Ke Qing’s rear. Every fold was for better reflecting the light from her body.
In that instant, the endless light on Qi Ke Qing’s Dharma Body was refracted by the Magic Mirror, entirely covering the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect army ahead.
The Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect congregation had never encountered such a spell. Even with vigilance, they didn’t react in time.
Everyone felt their vision blinded to pure white, everything else completely invisible.
They released Spiritual Sense, but under this light, the Spiritual Sense seemed distorted, perception disrupted.
“Kill!”
Seeing the opposing Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect congregation controlled, Qi Ke Qing’s army’s morale surged.
They immediately seized the opportunity. Under the command of each team’s captain, they launched a combined attack linked front to back.
Only to see above the sky, the originally formless Rule Great Dao emerging like flowing water, circulating and turning into branches that merged into the attacks of the congregation below.
The Rule streams took form, condensing into several Azure Dragons of various colors, baring fangs and claws, all pouncing toward the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect army!
Roar!
Dragon roars resounded, their sound shocking.
This also interfered with the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect congregation’s hearing again.
Some quick-reacting people on the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect side, seeing Spiritual Sense and vision briefly deprived, immediately rallied the whole army to release their strongest attacks forward with all their might.
At the same time, they had to prepare the strongest defense.
The congregation assented.
While attacking, spiritual energy, rules, and other powers surged from everyone, transforming into extremely brilliant Vermilion Bird Divine Feathers covering every part of their bodies.
The army instantly became a Spirit Bird army, fire feathers protecting their bodies, linked together, evoking the fusion of forces from the Battle of Red Cliffs in the Three Kingdoms tale.
Thus, even facing the Rule Dragons carrying Heaven and Earth Power charging in, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect bodies could be fearless.
But an accident still occurred.
Not all Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people’s attacks could precisely target forward. Qi Ke Qing’s Yaoguang Qi An Technique had distorted their Spiritual Sense perception.
Many people’s attacks didn’t actually go forward but instead toward their own army.
So, before the Rule Divine Dragons arrived, cries already rose within the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect army formation.
“Who attacked me from behind?”
“Where the hell are you attacking?”
These attacks were beyond their expectations and of the same origin, easily wounding their own.
Many people’s Vermilion Bird Divine Feathers instantly shattered, bodies drenched in blood.
Fortunately, protected by the Vermilion Bird Divine Feathers, no one fell—otherwise it would be a huge joke!
The only consolation was that most people’s attack directions, though deviated, were still generally forward.
But they looked disorganized, twisting and turning, insufficient to counter the opposing Rule Dragons.
Qi Ke Qing’s Yaoguang Qi An Technique was specifically for use against armies, covering such a wide area naturally couldn’t last long.
But even influencing the opponent for an instant was enough to produce miraculous effects given cultivators’ attack speed.
The Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect cultivators recovered their sight, Spiritual Sense following suit.
In the instant of recovery, they discovered the situation before them.
The giant dragons scattered their disorganized attacks and were already upon them.
For this, they could only correct their attacks while strengthening their own defenses.
“Whole army, heed the order: merge into Vermilion Bird Battle Formation, switch to defensive form.”
“Yes!”
Immediately, everyone retreated in unison while shifting positions, their formation instantly changing.
From afar, they looked like they had assembled into a divine Vermilion Bird form.
The Vermilion Bird Divine Feathers on everyone’s bodies enlarged. The feathers on the injured also recovered, and so did their wounded bodies.
Evidently, the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect’s Vermilion Bird Divine Feathers method could not only defend but also recover injuries.
Legend had it the Vermilion Bird could rebirth from fire. Though they couldn’t achieve the legendary extent, recovering injuries was a small matter they could do.
The Divine Feathers on the congregation enlarged and connected, adorning the massive Vermilion Bird divine form with plumage.
Immediately, it was as if a peerless divine beast awakened in the sky, spreading sky-covering wings, its sharp claws unmatched, slightly moving to tear the void.
“Sal!”
A divine sound was heard, contending with the dragon roars.
“Vermilion Bird Dragon Fight Thousand Strikes!”
The massive Vermilion Bird divine form condensed by the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect congregation proactively met the incoming several Rule Azure Dragons, engaging in combat.
Winds howled fiercely, its sharp claws extremely precise, instantly piercing two dragon heads and slaying two Rule Azure Dragons.
Its wings like Heavenly Sabers swept horizontally, chopping three Azure Dragons into several segments!
Of course, those Azure Dragons weren’t completely suppressed by the Vermilion Bird—many pounced to its side.
The large-bodied ones began battling the Vermilion Bird.
The small-bodied ones, like ropes, actually climbed onto the Vermilion Bird’s body to thoroughly bind it!
But several Divine Feathers immediately flew from the Vermilion Bird divine form, each like Heavenly Swords, instantly annihilating them.
Seeing the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people’s reaction so swift, whether Ning Qi or Qi Ke Qing and the others, all were slightly stunned.
As expected of Haoran Realm mid-tier Spiritual Realm cultivators—they indeed had skill.
Qi Ke Qing’s figure fell back into the formation and shouted, “Switch to Yaoguang Seven Kills Grand Formation!”
“Yes!”
With those words, their formation also changed, the army instantly splitting into seven arrays.
Starlight shone in each array, with different lusters yet faintly connected.
“Seven Kill Star Annihilation Slash!”
The congregation shouted in unison. The Yaoguang Immortal Sect army simultaneously released a terrifying slash.
The seven slashes formed a Big Dipper divine form, booming like seven giant stars from the sky, manifesting heavenly kill omen, slashing toward the Vermilion Bird.
The Vermilion Bird was still battling the Azure Dragons and sensed the new attack from the opposite side.
Suddenly, endless flames erupted from its whole body, burning the entire void apart.
Immediately after, a mouthful of divine fire fiercely sprayed forward, like a massive fireball, igniting the void and causing the temperature here to soar.
The Seven Kill Star Annihilation Slash collided with it.
Immediately, seven-colored light and flames contended, seemingly eroding each other’s power.
Both sides’ cultivators poured all their power into it with full force, the battle temporarily deadlocked.
Soon, both sides shuddered and were simultaneously repelled a mile backward.
Both sides looked at each other, eyes burning, both seeming incredulous.
Qi Ke Qing and the others only felt the Haoran Realm cultivators were really too strong.
They had previously occupied a large node, but that was by luck.
Afterward, they had clashed several times with small teams from other Haoran Realm sects, but each time relying on their army, they could slay the opponents.
But this time was different.
They actually didn’t know yet that the Haoran Realm cultivators they encountered were the strongest sect from a mid-tier Spiritual Realm in the Haoran Realm.
The opponent’s mid-tier Spiritual Realm was already stronger than their end-tier Spiritual Realm.
It was just that first, Ning Qi had killed many in the Spirit Bird Domain before, and second, Qi Ke Qing was also a legendary figure, leading the Yaoguang Immortal Sect congregation to grow stronger against the strong.
As for the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people, like the White Crane Immortal Sect ones slain by Ning Qi, their faces showed suspicion.
Were they really facing cultivators from the Mountain Sea Realm’s end-tier Spiritual Realm?
Both sides gasped heavily, rapidly recovering stamina.
The two sides battling represented two Spiritual Realms, destined to fight to the death.
Suddenly, Qi Ke Qing received a telepathic message.
“Senior Sister Qi, do we really have to keep fighting the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people?” someone telepathically asked.
Qi Ke Qing looked toward the sender—it was Elder Li, who had previously questioned the Formation Master.
She frowned slightly and said, “Elder Li, what do you mean by that? Do you also want me to lead the army in retreat?”
That Elder Li replied:
“Senior Sister Qi, that’s not what I mean. I mean, we’re in the open while that Ning Qi is in hiding. If we fight the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect to the death and let them pick up the benefits in the end, wouldn’t that be fighting for nothing here?”
He paused, then continued, “We must draw them out. Otherwise, our side will suffer greatly!”
What this Elder Li said was actually common sense. If shouted aloud, it would win much agreement.
But he still chose telepathic communication, out of respect for Qi Ke Qing.
Qi Ke Qing considered for an instant and replied, “Elder Li, I understand your idea, but I won’t do such a thing!”
Elder Li, hearing this, said somewhat displeased, “Senior Sister Qi, I’m saying this out of respect for you. This isn’t the time for grand righteousness. Before life-and-death interests, there’s no willing or unwilling. Either live or die—any means can be used!”
Afraid of Qi Ke Qing’s refusal, he added, “You’re from the Yaoguang Immortal Sect, not the leader of the Mountain Sea Realm’s War Domain Mountain Sea Realm. Don’t sacrifice the Yaoguang Immortal Sect or Fuyao Domain’s interests!”
Qi Ke Qing firmly said, “Enough, Elder Li. My mind is set. We absolutely cannot let the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people know of Ning Qi and their existence!”
She actually knew that, human nature being what it is, Elder Li’s words were not wrong.
But Qi Ke Qing had a sense of the overall situation. Though her acquaintance with Ning Qi was shallow, she believed Ning Qi absolutely wouldn’t watch them continuously battle and fall against the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people here.
She believed Ning Qi also shared her view of the overall situation.
If they really did as Elder Li said, informing the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people of Ning Qi’s Xuanzhen Domain Army or dragging them into the water now, the subsequent war would inevitably become much more complex and difficult.
Qi Ke Qing also believed in the humanity of Ning Qi’s side!
Elder Li seemed to sigh, saying resentfully, “Senior Sister Qi, I really don’t know what to say about you. I’ll listen to you on this matter, but if we don’t get good results in the end, I will definitely lead a team and detach from the army like that Si Kong Lan!”
Qi Ke Qing narrowed her eyes coldly and said, “Fine, as you wish!”
……
Ning Qi and the others saw both battlefields locked in fierce combat.
Their army was in excellent condition, able to move out at any time.
Sword Ancestor said, “Should we act now?”
Ning Qi nodded slightly. He looked back at the congregation and found a flame burning in everyone’s eyes, awaiting his command.
Of course, some wanted to wait longer, hoping to pick up the biggest bargain.
Best if the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect fought both sides to depletion, then they acted—it would take no effort!
Ning Qi shattered these people’s thoughts and said gravely, “Prepare to move!”
Sword Ancestor smiled. He was always straightforward and unwilling to see Qi Ke Qing’s army continuously battling the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect while they watched quietly from the side.
Of course, his straightforwardness was only for those worthy.
If it were that battlefield deserter Si Kong Lan, Sword Ancestor would absolutely be willing to continue watching.
Sword Ancestor said, “Which side do we attack first?”
Ning Qi had no intention of splitting forces to fight two places. Concentrating all forces to completely take one was his idea.
He said, “Attack here. Qi Ke Qing should hold out a bit longer. After resolving this, we’ll go help them.”
Sword Ancestor said, “Got it!”
With Ning Qi’s order given, everyone immediately rubbed their fists, formations dispersing. Like when dealing with other Haoran Realm cultivators before, they had already surrounded the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect below battling the Sea of Realms Fierce Beasts!
Everyone held their breath, awaiting Ning Qi’s order!
Ning Qi was at the very center and suddenly waved his hand!
Sword Ancestor immediately led with a sword slash, choosing an excellent angle, one sword targeting three Peak Venerables of the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect below!
Whoosh!
A cold, silent sword without sound, only endless Sword Intent and the chill of Sword Light.
Sword Light pierced the void where it passed.
The three Peak Venerables battling the five Great Demon Kings of the Sea of Realms were instantly struck by the Sword Light.
The five Great Demon Kings were stunned!
The Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect people were also stunned!
In the instant they were dazed, the Xuanzhen Domain Army acted in unison. Various Ice Element Spells mixed with Storm poured down below.
Immediately after, water-element attacks condensed into a great sea, smashing downward.
The cultivators who knew thunder-element attacks followed up instantly, countless Thunder injecting into the seawater.
Sizzle!
The three attacks arrived almost simultaneously, instantly falling below in one moment.
How could the two sides below, locked in fierce combat, predict that right beside them, another army was quietly hidden, awaiting the perfect moment.
If they didn’t act, fine—but once they did, it was an instant kill situation.
In a flash, whether the Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect cultivators below or the five Sea of Realms Fierce Beasts were all engulfed by the Xuanzhen Domain Army’s attacks.
Immediately after, countless lives’ auras were extinguished.
The commotion here was too great, naturally perceived by Qi Ke Qing’s side.
Their slightly paused figures all stared dumbfounded at this scene.
Qi Ke Qing and the others were fine—they knew Ning Qi and the others were hidden nearby. They had previously seen Ning Qi take down another Vermilion Bird Immortal Sect team.
But many hadn’t expected Ning Qi to act at this time.
Especially that Elder Li, an embarrassed flush rising on his old face. He had just been persuading Qi Ke Qing to expose Ning Qi and the others’ existence.
If exposed, could Ning Qi’s army still achieve this?
Qi Ke Qing gazed fixedly at Ning Qi, light flickering in her eyes.
She knew it—Ning Qi absolutely wasn’t a petty person like Si Kong Lan!
